Otterhounds have a relatively long life span of 10 to 13 years with 25% living to 12 or older, and a few living to 15 or even 16.

Health Considerations

Like
many of the large breeds, Otterhounds are subject to hip dysplasia and bloat. They are also subject to a potentially fatal bleeding disorder
called Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia (GT). Though the problem appears to have
been brought under control by testing breeding stock, if you are getting
an Otterhound puppy make sure DNA test for Otterhound bleeding has been done on both parents, you get the results and understand them.

In the last few
years, there have been an increasing number of reports of seizures
in Otterhounds. All Otterhound owners are encouraged to submit blood
samples for the canine epilepsy study being
done by the Universities of Missouri and Minnesota, Ohio State and the
Animal Health Trust in the UK.

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the most complete single repository of health tests recommended by Parent Clubs, including hip and elbow x-rays, CERF results etc. The OFA records and publishes the results of all the tests that the Otterhound Club of America requires of breeders in its Code of Ethics. Otterhounds that meet these requirements are indicated with a CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) number.

To see the list of all the reported health tests performed on Otterhounds past and present, please follow the OFA link.

The Otterhound Club of America's health surveys conducted in 1996, 2003, 2012 and 2015 indicated major health problems are uncommon until old age. This breed is usually quite slow to mature, both physically and mentally.

For more complete health information, please review the results of the Worldwide Otterhound Health Surveys. completed by the Animal Health Trust. The reports include a complete list of the health problems that Otterhounds are prone to, basic information about each, as well as links to websites focusing on those specific problems.